I Need Thee Every Hour

It strikes me in my study this morning, for some reason more deeply than other days, that I need time EACH morning before the day starts to hear, see, and ponder on the Word of the Lord.  It changes everything.  My day wasn't perfect yesterday and I still made some choices that weren't perfect for inviting the spirit but my day was better and I felt the value of what I was reading and learning.

Again, I know I'm not good at seeking the Spirit every hour, but I do need Him every hour, and starting with my scripture study each morning seems the step in the right direction.  If I could find one thing to be consistent in and have that be something I was known for, it would be this, I never miss morning scripture study.  I plan for it, I make time for it, and I just always do it.

This morning I read from the Book of Mormon in the introductory section called "A Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon".  I very much enjoyed reviewing these few paragraphs that describe the structure of the Book of Mormon.  It is helpful to remember that what we have up through Omni comes from the small plates of Nephi.  We have an insertion from Mormon and then the abridgment of the Large plates of Nephi from Mosiah to Mormon chapter 7.   Then there is the Book of Ether and Moroni's commentary.  How grateful I am for Mormon and Moroni and their ability to take instructions from the Lord and the Spirit to provide us with this Book written to lead us in the Latter days.

I spent time listening and reading a talk from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold.  He taught us to carefully think about what our name means.  What legacy will we leave under that name and more importantly, if we have taken upon us the name of Christ, what are we doing with His name?  Most memorable is the story about a cow that breaks through a fence to each growing wheat and dies.  E. Arnolds wife says "You stupid cow.  That fence was put there for a reason."  We have fences that we must recognize are put around us to keep us safe from spiritual death.

Again I am grateful for the opportunity to study the Book of Mormon and the words of the prophets from conference.  I will do it each day.  I have felt a good spirit yesterday and today as I have made time to do this.  Starting with heartfelt prayer seems to be key as well.  I love this time and will do my best to plan to have 45 minutes to an hour each morning to study, ponder, worship, write and keep my life in the right direction.  Consistency will bring the greatest changes and help me to be able to say that I never did anything with my name for which my ancestors, my family, or my Savior, need be ashamed.  Personally I rejoice in the peace and happiness this habit provides.